Cherry Blossom Festival Underway In D.C.

WASHINGTON (WJZ) — Some of the most enduring symbols of Japan are the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C.

Jessica Kartalija reports the Cherry Blossom Festival is underway.

The cherry blossoms were a gift from Japan more than a century ago and are currently in full bloom. You could not have chosen a better day to come down to D.C. to enjoy them.

“It’s nice to see all the flowers,” said one woman.

Visitors come from around the world to see the cherry blossoms.

“I’m from Europe and seeing spring for the first time in Washington, D.C.,” said one man.

A celebration of friendship between Washington, D.C. and Japan, the 16-day festival draws more than a million visitors every year.

“It is such a lovely tradition,” said one.

The cherry blossoms are at their peak this week.

You can donate to Japan during the festival.

Jessica Kartalija

Jessica Kartalija joined the Eyewitness News team during the summer of 2006. She is a general assignment reporter, and anchors the 5 p.m. newscast daily with Mary Bubala and noon newscast with Linh Bui.
She came to Baltimore from the southwest,...

One Comment

If you come from all over the world to see the cherry blossoms, you have a pretty unfulfilled life with little to do. Among the blossoms, don’t forget to look over your shoulder for the gangs of black thugs that will kill & mug you for a dollar, the cost of parking . food, lodging & the grime a mere two blocks in from the Capitol of the United States.

We just returned from the Washington DC National Cherry Blossom festival. It was cold and windy though that did not hold the crowds back. People stopped to pose for photos and enjoy the scene. I took some shots with the Washington Monument in the background. Here is a link to our update from the Tidal Basin and pictures of the crimson blooms. http://www.aprilmwilliams.com/gogpu